chapter 9

The shadows of the mountains stretched long across the village as word of Malik Zaman's new army spread. Faisal watched as Rahim's soldiers scrambled to prepare for the next battle. Four days was all they had to ready the cannons, to brace themselves for the storm Malik was bringing. But for Faisal, the next four days were an opportunity—a chance to turn Malik's desperation against him.

The forge blazed hotter than ever. Under Faisal's command, the workers pushed themselves beyond their limits, hammering out the final parts of the cannons. It was faster than they had ever worked before, but the sense of urgency gripped everyone. The British mercenaries were a new threat.

On the third day, Faisal stepped outside, feeling the cold bite of the wind against his skin. The cannons were nearly complete, and with Rahim's men ready to fight, everything was set in motion. All that remained was the final attack. He scanned the horizon, the jagged mountain peaks surrounding the valley where Rahim's army would position itself. The terrain was their ally, and it was time to use it.

Rahim appeared beside him, his face stern. "The scouts report Malik's forces will be here within two days," he said, his voice low. "His numbers have swelled. There are even more mercenaries than we thought."

Faisal nodded. "Numbers mean little in these mountains. We'll make our stand here." He turned to Rahim. "Position your men along the ridges. We'll funnel Malik's army into the valley. Once they're in, the cannons will decimate them."

Rahim frowned but gave a curt nod. He was relying more on Faisal than ever before, his trust deepening with each victory, even though he didn't fully understand the depth of Faisal's plans. Rahim believed this was his war to win, but Faisal knew better. Malik Zaman and Rahim Khan were pawns in a much larger game.

The cannons were ready by nightfall. Faisal inspected them personally, running his hand over the cold metal. Steam-powered artillery—primitive in design compared to modern weapons, but in this time, it was nothing short of revolutionary. The workers had done their job well, and now it was time for the cannons to do theirs.

As night settled over the village, Faisal retired to his quarters. He knelt for his prayer, as he did every night, the weight of his responsibilities resting on his shoulders. His prayer was quiet, a connection to something greater than himself, grounding him in the chaos. As he stood, the system's cold voice echoed in his mind once more.

[New Mission: Lead Rahim Khan to victory against Malik Zaman. Reward: Advanced Explosives Blueprint + 800 System Points.]

Victory was inevitable, but Faisal knew that it wouldn't be simple. The British mercenaries would complicate things. They were more than just soldiers—they represented the slow encroachment of foreign powers into Afghanistan. Faisal had expected this to happen eventually, but the speed at which it was unfolding was alarming. The Great Game between Britain and Russia had already begun.

But Faisal wasn't concerned. He would use this to his advantage.

The day of the battle arrived. Rahim's forces had taken position along the mountain ridges, muskets in hand, ready to rain fire down on Malik's army as soon as they entered the valley. The two newly finished cannons were stationed in strategic locations, their barrels pointed down into the pass.

Faisal stood with Rahim and Rustam, overlooking the battlefield. Malik's army stretched out in the distance—a force of over 500 soldiers, with the British mercenaries forming the front line. Their uniforms stood out starkly against the rugged terrain, their weapons gleaming in the early morning light. Faisal's eyes locked onto them.

"Are the men ready?" Faisal asked, his voice calm.

Rahim nodded. "They're in position. We wait for your signal."

Faisal glanced once more at the mercenaries. He could see their rifles—more advanced than the muskets Rahim's men carried, but they were no match for what was coming. The cannons would shred through their lines before they even got close.

"Wait until they enter the valley," Faisal said. "Once they're inside, we strike."

The minutes stretched out as Malik's forces advanced, unaware of the trap they were walking into. Faisal watched, his hands steady, his breathing calm. War was like chess. You had to think three moves ahead, anticipate every outcome, and always be prepared to sacrifice pieces if needed.

Malik's army entered the valley.

"Now," Faisal ordered.

The cannons roared to life, the sound echoing across the mountains. A barrage of iron rained down on Malik's forces, tearing through their ranks. The British mercenaries scrambled to respond, firing their rifles blindly into the ridges, but they couldn't see their attackers. The mountains were Rahim's advantage, and now they belonged to Faisal.

The battle was chaos. Malik's men were trapped, unable to retreat, as cannon fire and musket shots decimated their numbers. The mercenaries were better trained, but even they were struggling to maintain any order in the face of such destruction.

Faisal watched it all unfold with cold detachment. Victory was certain, but Malik Zaman still needed to be dealt with. If he escaped again, he would regroup, as he had before. This time, Faisal couldn't allow it.

He turned to Rahim. "Send a small detachment to flank Malik. Cut off his escape."

Rahim hesitated for a moment, then nodded to Rustam, who relayed the orders to the men. A group of twenty soldiers broke off from the main force, moving quickly down the mountainside toward Malik's position.

As the battle raged on, Faisal's mind was already racing ahead. The British mercenaries were his real prize. If he could capture some of their rifles, study them, it would give him insight into the future conflicts that were coming. Britain was already making its move into Afghanistan, and Russia wouldn't be far behind. Afghanistan was about to become a battlefield for empires.

Malik Zaman's forces were breaking, their morale shattered by the relentless cannon fire. Bodies littered the valley, and the survivors were retreating in every direction, scattering like leaves in the wind.

Faisal's detachment reached Malik's position, surrounding the warlord. There was no escape this time.

Malik Zaman was brought before Rahim later that day, his face bruised, his clothes torn and bloodied. He knelt in the dirt, glaring up at Rahim with hatred burning in his eyes.

"You've lost," Rahim said coldly. "Surrender, and your life will be spared."

Malik spat at the ground. "I'd rather die than bow to you."

Faisal stepped forward, his gaze locked on Malik. "You don't have to bow. But you don't have to die today, either. Think carefully. Your men are dead, and your power is gone. There's nothing left for you out there."

Malik's eyes flicked to Faisal, his expression hardening. He knew that Faisal was the one pulling the strings. There was no submission in his gaze, only defiance.

"Kill me if you want," Malik growled. "But others will come. More than you can imagine. And when they do, they'll take everything from you."

Rahim frowned, clearly tired of Malik's defiance. He looked to Faisal. "What do you suggest?"

Faisal remained calm, studying Malik for a moment. Killing him would end this particular threat, but it wouldn't solve the larger problem. The British mercenaries had already set foot in this land, and they wouldn't stop here.

"Spare him," Faisal said finally. "But exile him from these mountains. Let him spread the word of what happened here. Let others know what happens to those who challenge us."

Rahim's eyes narrowed, but after a moment, he nodded. "Very well."

Malik Zaman was dragged away, his fate sealed. He was no longer a threat. But Faisal knew the battle wasn't over. The real war was just beginning.

As night fell and the fires from the battlefield dimmed, Faisal stood alone at the edge of the village, staring out at the darkened horizon. The British had entered Afghanistan, and soon, others would follow. This land was becoming more than just a pawn in the games of local warlords. It was becoming the center of a much larger conflict—one that Faisal had no intention of losing.

Victory over Malik Zaman was only the first step. The cannons had given Rahim the power to dominate this region, but the empires to the west and north were moving. Faisal needed more than just muskets and artillery. He needed to plan for the future—one where Afghanistan wouldn't just survive but thrive.

As he stood there, the system's voice echoed in his mind once again.

[Mission Complete: Lead Rahim Khan to victory against Malik Zaman.]

[Reward: Advanced Explosives Blueprint + 800 System Points.]

Faisal smiled to himself. The future was unfolding faster than he had anticipated, and now, with new technology at his disposal, he would be ready for whatever came next.

But one thing was certain—this war wasn't over. It was only just beginning.